Syrian refugees return to home towns in 'safe zone' despite dangers

Thousands make the move over the border from Turkey but few are going voluntarily, says NGO

Ibrahim Hamad has just returned home to Syria from Turkey for the first time in five years and feels lucky that his family’s house has survived heavy fighting in the area.

Much has changed in the Syrian border town of Tal Abyad. Hamad’s hometown has been fought over by the Syrian opposition, Islamic State, US-backed Kurdish forces and, now, Turkey and its Syrian rebel proxy fighters.